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Newbie

05-28-2006, 09:42 AM

I am a hobbist and new to stick welding. I know this sounds like a dumb question, but what is the easiest way to open and get into a can of welding rods? Specifically 1/8 th 6010 and 3/32 7018. Some one told me to throw the can on the ground hitting the corner to open it. I am afraid that will damage the rods.
Any help is appreciated
Tong

Comment

Maybe you can use a 1/2" wide flate chisel 'make shure its sharp' and start at the edge and open the top . you dont have to have a big hole .
you can make a small opening at one of the corners of the can and then tilt the can and poor a few rods out at a time.
kinda like how you use a flat chisel to cut off the top of a 55 gal. drum around the edge
hope this helps
and welcome to the forum

Comment

I had some at school that were very old and sealed up tight. No easy open lid... so I took my grinder and went around the seam until I cut it in two... worked very well and didnt damage the electrodes...

I would not throw them down on a corner!

Comment

We used a hammer and screwdriver in the corner of the lid to open up a triangle.....a torch........and whatever else would cut metal. Always hated getting cut up by them, but that was just part of the job. Those were the days.

Comment

Some come in cardboard, some in plastic and some in steel cans. It all depends on what they are, the size package and who they are from. For ex: Linc 6010's are available in 10# can...I believe they used to have a 5# can, too.....and a 50# can. Hobart 6010's are in one pound plastic tubes, 10# plastic can/tube deal and 50# can. Switch to 6011's and the big cans are now cardboard boxes. I don't believe there is any rhyme, reason, or logic behind any of it. It is all just a ploy to keep us guessing.